Mental health, stigma and young people

The facts

If you are a young person experiencing issues with your mental health it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. Seeking help for your mental health and wellbeing can feel like a scary decision and this is often made worse by the stigma that many young people experience when they speak up about what they are going through.

YMCA England have conducted some interesting new research, that sheds light on what many young people across England and Wales are experiencing in terms of both their mental health and the stigma they face.

They found that-

The most common mental health conditions experienced by young people are anxiety and depression.

38% of those experiencing mental health difficulties say they have experienced stigma as a result of their conditions.

70% of those who experienced stigma said it negatively affected them sharing what they were going through.

Young people believe that talking more about mental health and sharing experiences are key to challenging mental health stigma.

There has never been a better time to challenge stigma and ensure that all young people feel able to talk freely about their mental health and wellbeing.

The #I AM WHOLE campaign aims to tackle mental health stigma by challenging harmful language and encouraging young people to talk about mental health and seek help and support when they need it. Find out more about the campaign and how you can show your support by visiting the #I AM WHOLE page on Find Get Give.